Richardson confident City can beat relegation

BOOTHAM Crescent already holds happy memories for York City's new signing Nick Richardson - and now he wants many more.

The 30-year-old midfielder notched his first-ever Football League goal at City's ground, as his then club Halifax won a Division Three contest 2-0 on Boxing Day 1989.

And now, more than 11 years later - and with nearly 400 League appearances for the Shaymen, Cardiff and Chester behind him - he has again returned to one of his favourite grounds, this time as a City player.

"I scored my first League goal at Bootham Crescent a few years ago and I've always enjoyed coming to York," he told the Evening Press after signing a one-month contract with the Minstermen yesterday.

"York are an excellent club. I've only been here a week but I've loved it so far.

"The set-up is fantastic and there can't be many better training facilities outside the Premiership.

"I've been really impressed with everybody I've come into contact with, and there are players here who should be playing in higher divisions than this."

Although he has only signed a short-term contract, new boy Richardson - his brother Lee plays for Division Three leaders Chesterfield having also starred for Blackburn, Oldham, Watford and Aberdeen - is keen to earn a longer deal and pass the magic 500-mark with his new club.

"I've played about 400 League games (scoring 44 goals) and I would love to reach 500. And I'd love to do that with York City.," he said.

"That's a goal of mine, and to do that I will have to earn an extended stay with the club and we will have to avoid relegation. But I have every confidence that we will."

Richardson, who was set to play a part in today's crucial Division Three basement battle with Exeter City, was hoping his vast knowledge of League football would help the Minstermen pull away from the trapdoor.

Furthermore, his experience of relegation to the Nationwide Conference with previous club Chester City last year still hurts.

He is determined not to suffer the same fate again.

"I've played Second and Third Division football all my career apart from this last six or seven months and I know what the League is about.

"I know a lot of the players and I will be able to bring something to the club and maybe one or two goals as well."

As for that fateful campaign at Deva Stadium, he said: "It was a strange situation.

"We had an American owner (Terry Smith) who was the manager for a large part of the season. It was a difficult season, and I don't think the present situation at York compares at all."

Added the Halifax-born midfielder: "My contract at Chester was up at the end of the season, but it became obvious I was not part of the manager's (Graham Barrow's) plans. We came to an arrangement and I left two weeks ago.

"I was offered a trial here and came across on Monday. I trained throughout the week and played (for City reserves) against Huddersfield and Darlington and I got to sign a month's contract yesterday.

"It's a chance to re-establish myself back in the League. I haven't played very much this season but I want to prove I'm worthy of an extended stay."

Updated: 14:27 Saturday, February 17, 2001